Bracelets: Yea or Nay? (Plus a chance to win a few of your own)

I’ve attended this conference the last three or four years, and every time, the weather’s been incredible, which I hear isn’t always the case in the Pacific Northwest.

Perfectly sunny, the right amount of warmth with perhaps a touch of humidity, but not so much that you refuse to step outside.

The weather, coupled with the casual vibe of the event, allowed me to wear singular layers and lightweight shirts (some with short sleeves), something I can hardly ever do in the eternally foggy city of San Francisco.

One thing I noticed (primarily because of the lack of long sleeves) was that plenty of people were wearing bracelets. Some were metal, others were made from fabric, leather, or simple woven thread.

I had a few things on my wrists as well. In addition to my watch, I usually wear simple meditation beads (similar to these) that were given to me last year at this same conference. Some of my other favorites are in the photo above.

I like wearing stuff on my wrists. No particular reason, other than to add a bit of color, display a touch of personal style, and most of all, keep my watch company.

If you’re like me, accessories such as bracelets are one of the last things you consider buying. They’re on your mind once you see them, but you rarely, if ever, pull the trigger.

Curious what you’ll receive?

I threw in a white brass money clip from General Manufacturing (also in the Huckberry Accessories Shop), because you’ll need a way to neatly organize all those bills you saved!

Plus, a money clip that holds up to 20 bills (or 10 bills, your license, and a credit card) is perfectly slim and minimal, exactly what an effortless gent like you needs.

How to enter

We’re doing things a bit differently this time around. Similar to our other giveaways this summer, you simply enter your email to enter, which gets you one official entry.

But! I’m also giving you the opportunity to share this giveaway with your friends.For each friend you refer that enters, you receive three additional entries, which of course increases your chances of winning.

Just curious…

What are you currently wearing on your wrists? Tell us in the comments below, or better yet, snap a photo!

PUBLISHED July 17, 2014

Barron is a Lean Wardrobe Advocate and Founding Editor of Effortless Gent. He's from San Francisco but currently living in New York. Connect with him on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, or Tumblr.

I haven’t got into too much ‘personal expression’ through wrist accessories yet, so just a simple thin leather bracelet and a Timex weekender here… I like the look provided its the right occasion.

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

I started with a thin leather bracelet as well. I don’t wear too much other than my watch and the beads. I usually just choose 1 per wrist, but I stack once in a while. Guess it depends on how I feel that day.

Michael Brown

If you are a guy watches belong on your wrist. That is all. (personal opinion here)

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

Disagree! But that’s what’s great about this whole personal style thing. We don’t all have to agree

OregonTed

I wear some nylon threads from a shop in Kuai – but I used to just wear a rubber band…it’s a balance thing. I feel all out of sorts with a watch on my left and nothing on my right wrist.

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

Yes, it’s definitely about balance. It feels weird even more for me now when I have a watch and my wedding ring on one hand, and nothing on the other, so the bracelets help.

Brandon B. Busbee

My Nike+ watch. I never seem to take it off no matter the occasion…I probably need to take it off when I’m not working out or coaching!

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

I think we need something more minimal / less sporty for you when you get dressed up on special occasions

Brandon B. Busbee

I agree! At least it’s white, but still…

Lukas T

Invicta watch on one wrist, UP24 fitness band on the other, most days.

You NEED to! Only thing is, once you by one, all other colour-ways begin to become essentials.

Mike

That Salti bracelet is awesome! I’ve always wanted to try wearing a KJP leather cord bracelet, but can’t seem to pull the trigger…my left arm already looks crowded with a black tungsten wedding ring and a watch, not sure if I’d like it on my right arm

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

you can do it! it will balance you out.

Pat S

Shinola Argonite 5021 Chronometer

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

Handsome looking watch

http://www.fbi.gov/ Rudolph Ucker

With a young school age daughter I have the obligatory loom band – I wouldn’t’ be able to leave the house without it on! That and an IWC Pilot’s Chrono.

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

Hope she picked some great colors. My nieces and nephews were making something similar last summer when I visited. I didn’t get one unfortunately

http://www.fbi.gov/ Rudolph Ucker

We had a World Cup theme going on… Now I need to get some made to match my favourite shirts! Unfortunately navy blue is apparently a boring colour.

Guest

My wrist accessories vary a lot by outfit (as they should) but I
virtually always have a few items on my wrist. For business settings,
it’s usually something understated like a cuff from Miansai, leather bracelets by Griffin (brother company to Gorjana), McCarren & Sons or Caputo & Co.

Chain
Bracelets from Guess (or GbyGuess) and wrap bracelets from Diesel are
for more casual and social settings, they spice up the typical jeans +
leather jacket or jeans + blazer look. Some of the more casual items
like nautical-themed bracelets from the above companies also. Mala
beads or beaded/skulled bracelets depending on venue. Thicker leather
cuffs from a whole lot of companies I don’t know by name are an option
here too. A good amount of my jewelry comes from local vendors with no
significant name recognition so I’ll spare you the local name drops.

Supposedly
men’s jewelry is becoming more of a trend right now so I hope to see a
lot more companies expand in that direction. I already have a tendency
to wear more jewelry than most men that I see so obviously I have a lot
more to pick from, but I really think bracelets are a good way to add
small touches of color or design to an outfit without overpowering it,
and aren’t nearly as gaudy as necklaces/rings tend to be.

I won’t touch watches for now, as that’s a totally different category (and I have too many of those too)

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

You got that wrist game down!

Chris

My wrist accessories vary a lot by outfit (as they should) but I
virtually always have a few items on my wrist. For business settings,
it’s usually something understated like a cuff from Miansai, leather bracelets by Griffin (brother company to Gorjana), McCarren & Sons or Caputo & Co.

Chain Bracelets from Guess (or GbyGuess) and wrap bracelets from Diesel are
for more casual and social settings, they spice up the typical jeans +
leather jacket or jeans + blazer look. Some of the more casual items
like nautical-themed bracelets from the above companies also. Mala
beads or beaded/skulled bracelets depending on venue. Thicker leather
cuffs from a whole lot of companies I don’t know by name are an option
here too. A good amount of my jewelry comes from local vendors with no
significant name recognition so I’ll spare you the local name drops.

Supposedly, men’s jewelry is becoming more of a trend right now so I hope to see a
lot more companies expand in that direction. I already have a tendency
to wear more jewelry than most men that I see so obviously I have a lot
more to pick from, but I really think bracelets are a good way to add
small touches of color or design to an outfit without overpowering it,
and aren’t nearly as gaudy as necklaces/rings tend to be.

I won’t touch watches for now, as that’s a totally different category (and I have too many of those too)

Greg Haney

Really depends on the personal style. If you dress closer to George Clooney or James Bond, then you wear a watch and no other accessories. If, however, you prefer Ryan Gosling or David Beckham, you can wear bracelets and jewelry.

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

Who are you more like?

Brian

I always wear one bracelet-type band with my wristwatch. I have three I choose from as they all have special meaning — 1) a simple leather braid from an international friend almost 8 years ago — 2) a twisted, thick leather band from a dutch colony I visited in travels with family — 3) a (new) homemade bracelet that made it back to me from a friend’s trip to Sierra Leone.

Find something that has meaning to you – you’ll enjoy wearing it all the more

http://effortlessgent.com Barron

Agreed. I love being able to wear things that have a special, personal meaning to me, or at least reminds me of where I was when I got it (or who gave it to me).

Zac Chastain

Watch on one hand (either leather strap/stainless or my Garmin 620 running watch depending on the occasion) and a bracelet of some kind on the other (nautical cord/hook type or a Road ID bracelet that I can swap bands to coordinate that day)

Jeffrey Lippincott

I aways wear my silver and titanium hooks bracelets I purchased while down island. They’re unique and always remind of the great times I have while down island.

Jerry

Currently on my wrist is a Timex Weekender with a leather strap from FFF (FormFunctionForm) that I picked up at Huckberry!

MicErnest

My hand and what I’m rocking today. I have toned down on accessories, the used to be my thing.

MicErnest

My hand and what I’m rocking today. I have toned down on accessories, the used to be my thing.

Marshall Lilly

Surprised to see so many comments equating watches with bracelets.

Dan

A watch, although I like many bracelets I can’t really do them myself. If it’s not functional I’m not wearing. Occasionally when travelling I’m given bracelets for various reasons, I tend to wear them till they fall off.

http://www.onlymoses.com Simon

Don’t usually do the bracelet thing, but was routing thru some old bits & bobs the other day and came across an old bead necklace and thought I’d give it a go. What do you reckon? :O/